23 September: Gallery Bar Special – Louise Parker Quartet

Plymouth based jazz & soul singer Louise Parker, joined by her band, Neil Burns (guitar), Jem Fatna (drums) and Pasquale Votino (bass) return to the Old Chapel this autumn.

Louise Parker 

Louise  started singing late, but soon found out she had a feel for jazz. Her father had an extensive record collection, many Blue Note albums, ranging from Bix Beiderbecke all the way through each decade to John Coltrane. Her mother was very keen on Opera and folk music.

Music was always in the background in the family home.

Louise has played in Pizza Express Dean Street, Pizza on the Park, The Bull’s Head, Barnes and The Hammersmith Apollo. She has also toured extensively, and played many festivals – including Glastonbury, jazz festivals, and theatres in the UK. The Hammersmith Apollo was a memorial concert in tribute to Humphrey Lyttelton who she  recorded with in 2008. She was the last singer to record with him at his studio in London – “Cornucopia 3”

In addition to Humphrey Lyttelton, Louise has played and recorded with Dave Newton, Alan Barnes (No More Strangers), Steve Waterman, Max Turnbull (Don’t Explain), George Cooper and Matt Carter.

Jem Fatna

Jean Emmanuel Fatna raised in Martinique and French Guiana, is a self taught drummer and percussionist. Born into a long line of musicians, he began playing at the age of 2. Spiritually nurtured by the arts, for him music is a gift and through grace is transmitted. His sound and approach to music have been influenced by his Afro-Caribbean and Amazonian heritage, as well as his time living and playing music in New York.

Experienced in various styles – reggae, hip hop, funk, jazz, world music- he performs live shows and collaborates in studio sessions with a rich and diverse mix of artists including Myles Sanko, Kuku, Winston Francis, Sparky in The Clouds, Dub Judah, Urban Twoubadoo, Daryll Hall trio, Alain Jean-Marie, Mariann Matheus, David Cairol, Nish Wadada. Jem has performed at venues like: Olympia, Zénith, Royal Opera House etc

Neil Burns

Scottish Guitarist Neil Burns has been immersed in the south west jazz scene for many years. He has performed all over Europe and is a regular calibrator of top trumpeter Steve Waterman, Guitar legend Jim Mullen, vibraphonist Roger Beaujolais and has also worked with Jacqui Dankworth, Zoe Rahman , Simon Spillett, Dave Newton, Mark Bassey , Bobby Wellins, Greg Abate and The Haggis Horns, to name a few.

A melodic guitarist steeped in the jazz guitar tradition.

Pasquale Votino

Pasquale was born in Naples and studied Classical Music under Rino Zurzolo at Benevento Conservatory, before moving to UK. From a young age he developed a passion for jazz, alongside classical music. He has worked with various musicians including Andy Sheppard, Luca Aquino and many others.

Listen to Louise at the Totnes Cinema in 2022 –

Louise Parker performing – “Fine and Mellow” – with Jem Fatna, Martin Jenkins and Ron Phelan